Organic light emitting diode display with transparent pixel portion and corresponding devices

ABSTRACT

An organic light emitting diode display includes a substrate. The substrate defines a first pixel portion and one or more second pixel portions. Pixels formed in the first pixel portion include at least some transparent organic light emitting diode pixels, while other pixels formed in the one or more second pixel portions include only reflective organic light emitting diode pixels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application from, and claims priorityunder 35 USC § 120 to, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/620,001, filed Jun.12, 2017, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to displays, and more particularly todisplays for electronic devices.

Background Art

Portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers,are ubiquitous in modern society. While mobile phones were once usedonly for making calls while “on the go,” they are now used for countlessactivities other than making voice calls. These activities includesending and receiving text and multimedia messages, executing andmanaging financial transactions, consuming video and other multimediacontent, and surfing the web.

There is a tension in the design of electronic devices betweenmaximizing the size of a display upon which information is presented andkeeping the overall size of the device such that it can economically andreasonably be held in the hand of a user. It would be advantageous tohave an improved display, and corresponding device, that allowed thearea of the display to increase without increasing the overall size ofthe device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates one explanatory transparent organic light emittingdiode pixel configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates one explanatory reflective organic light emittingdiode pixel configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates another explanatory transparent organic lightemitting diode pixel, which includes transparent sub-pixel portions andreflective sub-pixel portions, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates one explanatory organic light emitting diode displayconfigured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates one explanatory organic light emitting diode displayconfigured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates another explanatory organic light emitting diodedisplay configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates another explanatory organic light emitting diodedisplay configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another explanatory organic light emitting diodedisplay configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates still another explanatory organic light emittingdiode display configured in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates one explanatory electronic device in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates another explanatory electronic device in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates one explanatory method in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates one explanatory electronic device in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates one explanatory method in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates one or more method steps in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates one or more method steps in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates one or more method steps in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates another electronic device in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with thepresent disclosure, it should be observed that the embodiments resideprimarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus componentsrelated to organic light emitting diode displays configured inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure and methods of controllingand remediating the same. Any process descriptions or blocks in flowcharts should be understood as representing modules, segments, orportions of code that include one or more executable instructions forimplementing specific logical functions or steps in the process.Alternate implementations are included, and it will be clear thatfunctions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed,including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending onthe functionality involved. Accordingly, the apparatus components andmethod steps have been represented where appropriate by conventionalsymbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that arepertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure soas not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thedescription herein.

Embodiments of the disclosure do not recite the implementation of anycommonplace business method aimed at processing business information,nor do they apply a known business process to the particulartechnological environment of the Internet. Moreover, embodiments of thedisclosure do not create or alter contractual relations using genericcomputer functions and conventional network operations. Quite to thecontrary, embodiments of the disclosure employ methods that, whenapplied to electronic device and/or user interface technology, improvethe functioning of the electronic device itself by and improving theoverall user experience to overcome problems specifically arising in therealm of the technology associated with electronic device userinteraction.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure describedherein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors andunique stored program instructions that control the one or moreprocessors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processorcircuits, some, most, or all of the functions of operating an organiclight emitting diode display as described herein. The non-processorcircuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radiotransmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, anduser input devices.

As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method toperform operating and remediating steps for one or more organic lightemitting diode displays configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. Alternatively, some or all functionscould be implemented by a state machine that has no stored programinstructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of thefunctions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination ofthe two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for thesefunctions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that oneof ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and manydesign choices motivated by, for example, available time, currenttechnology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts andprinciples disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating suchsoftware instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

Embodiments of the disclosure are now described in detail. Referring tothe drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Asused in the description herein and throughout the claims, the followingterms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includesplural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relationalterms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or actionwithout necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationshipor order between such entities or actions.

As used herein, components may be “operatively coupled” when informationcan be sent between such components, even though there may be one ormore intermediate or intervening components between, or along theconnection path. The terms “substantially” and “about” are used to referto dimensions, orientations, or alignments inclusive of manufacturingtolerances. Thus, a “substantially orthogonal” angle with amanufacturing tolerance of plus or minus two degrees would include allangles between 88 and 92, inclusive. Also, reference designators shownherein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other thanthe one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (10) whilediscussing figure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figure otherthan figure A.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide one or more organic light emittingdiode displays for electronic devices that allow imagers, sensors, andother components to be arranged beneath portions of the display, yetstill receive and/or transmit light and other electromagnetic signalsthrough the display. In one or more embodiments, the display integratestransparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, orpartial sub-pixels into an arrangement of reflective organic lightemitting diode display pixels to provide portions of the display thatare transparent or partially transparent. Sensors, such as an imager,can then be situated beneath the portions of the display that includethe transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels,or partial sub-pixels so as to receive light or other signals throughthe transparent or partially transparent portions of the display.

Advantageously, locating the imager and other sensors beneath thetransparent or partially transparent portions of the display allowsthese devices to be concealed while still maintaining the ability topresent information on the transparent or partially transparent portionsof the display. This allows the area upon which information is presentedto become larger, without requiring a larger form factor for the overalldevice. The transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels,sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels can be configured along a substrate ofthe display by various techniques, including roll integration, pixelintegration, partial hybrid sub-pixel integration, or other techniques.

In one or more embodiments, a predefined area is defined along thedisplay. This predefined area can be at the top of the display, bottomof the display, sides of the display, or at other locations along thedisplay. Imagers, lights for flash photography, proximity sensors,infrared sensors, or other sensors are then disposed beneath thispredefined portion. Transparent organic light emitting diode displaypixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels are then used in thispredefined area, either with or without reflective organic lightemitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels. Theuse of the transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels,sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels in the predefined area allows thesensors to receive light, infrared signals, or other signals through thepredefined area.

In one or more embodiments, the sensors can be controlled andsynchronized with the operation of the display to achieve atime-sequential operation. Illustrating by example, when the imager iscapturing an image, the predefined portion of the display can be turnedOFF to allow the imager to capture the image. Said differently, when theimager captures the image the transparent organic light emitting diodedisplay pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels can be turned OFF sothat they do not deliver light to the imager while the image iscaptured.

Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosure allow for a “borderless”display that can extend across the entirety, or nearly the entirety, ofa major surface of an electronic device. In prior art devices, the areaof the display had to be smaller than the area of a major surface, e.g.,the front, of an electronic device to accommodate forward facingcameras, proximity sensors, and other sensors. With embodiments of thepresent disclosure, such devices can be hidden behind the transparent orpartially transparent portions of the display while maintaining keyoptical characteristics of the display.

Embodiments of the disclosure also provide methods for controlling andoptionally remediating the display as well. Embodiments of thedisclosure contemplate that transparent organic light emitting diodedisplay pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels can diminish inbrightness sooner than do reflective organic light emitting diodedisplay pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels. Additionally,transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, orpartial sub-pixels can suffer from “burn-in” issues more than do theirreflective counterparts. In one or more embodiments, methods ofremediating the display to ensure that transparent portions andreflective portions appear visibly similar in appearance are disclosed.

Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments one or moreprocessors operable with the display perform color tracking bymonitoring how often the portion of the display comprising transparentorganic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partialsub-pixels is ON relative to other portions comprising only reflectiveorganic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partialsub-pixels. The one or more processors can calculate and store runningaverages of this “on pixel ratio” for all areas of the display. The oneor more processors can then compensate for differences in this on pixelratio to ensure consistent optical performance as seen by a viewer.Other techniques for remediating or compensating displays configured inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure will be described below.Still others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, an organic light emitting diode displaycomprises a substrate. The substrate defines a first pixel portion andone or more second pixel portions. In one or more embodiments, the firstpixel portion comprises a combination of transparent organic lightemitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels andreflective organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, orpartial sub-pixels. The one or more second pixel portions then compriseonly reflective organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels,or partial sub-pixels.

The transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels,or partial sub-pixels and the reflective organic light emitting diodedisplay pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels can be arranged invarious ways. In one embodiment, the transparent organic light emittingdiode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels and thereflective organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, orpartial sub-pixels are arranged in an alternating pattern. Illustratingby example, in one embodiment columns of transparent organic lightemitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels canalternate with columns of reflective organic light emitting diodedisplay pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels. In anotherembodiment, the transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels,sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels and the reflective organic lightemitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels can bearranged in a checkerboard pattern. Other arrangements will be describedbelow. Still others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in theart having the benefit of this disclosure.

An imager or other sensors can then be collocated with the first pixelportion. Since the first pixel portion comprises transparent organiclight emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels,when the imager is collocated with the first pixel portion it is able toreceive light through the transparent organic light emitting diodedisplay pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels. In one or moreembodiments, the one or more processors can cause the transparentorganic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partialsub-pixels to cease emitting light while actuating the imager. Thisallows images to be captured without interference from light emitted bythe transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels,or partial sub-pixels.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors can furtherremediate one or both of the first pixel portion and the second pixelportion to compensate for performance degradation of the transparentorganic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partialsub-pixels in comparison to the reflective organic light emitting diodedisplay pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels. For instance, whenthe transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels,or partial sub-pixels suffer from a greater loss of brightness or agreater discoloration than do the reflective organic light emittingdiode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels, the one or moreprocessors can remediate these effects. The one or more processors canincrease the power being delivered to the transparent organic lightemitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels, alterthe drive signals to the various colors of the transparent organic lightemitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partial sub-pixels, and soforth. Other remediation techniques will be described below. Stillothers will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 1 illustrated therein is a transparent organic lightemitting diode pixel 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure. While described as a “pixel” for ease illustration thesame structure is used for smaller elements such as sub-pixels orpartial sub-pixels as well.

A substrate 101 supports an anode 102, both of which are opticallytransparent. For instance, the substrate 101 can be glass orthermoplastic, while the anode 102 is an optically transparent materialsuch as such as indium-tin oxide (In.sub.2 O.sub.3-SnO.sub.2). Disposedabove the anode 102 is a transparent conductive layer 103, which has anemissive layer 104 disposed thereon. A cathode 105 is disposed above theemissive layer 104. As with the anode 102, the cathode 105 can bemanufactured from an optically transparent material such as indium-tinoxide. It should be noted that the anode 102 and cathode 105 could bereversed.

When the transparent organic light emitting diode pixel 100 is turnedOFF, the transparent structures of the substrate 101, the anode 102, thetransparent conductive layer 103, and the cathode 105 are on the orderof eighty-five percent transparent. By contrast, when the anode 102 andthe cathode 105 apply an electric field to the emissive layer 104, itemits light 106 out of the top side of the transparent organic lightemitting diode pixel 100.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is a “reflective” organiclight emitting diode pixel 200. As with the transparent organic lightemitting diode pixel (100) of FIG. 1, while described as a “pixel” forease illustration the same structure is used for smaller elements suchas sub-pixels or partial sub-pixels as well.

The reflective organic light emitting diode pixel 200 is referred to as“reflective” because at least one of its layers is reflective ratherthan transparent. Illustrating by example, in one embodiment thesubstrate 201 includes a reflective material 207, such as a thin film ormetal layer, which reflects light 206. Alternatively, one of theelectrode layers can be reflective. For instance, the anode 202 can bemanufactured from a reflective material, such as tin, gold, silver, oraluminum, rather than from an optically transparent material such asindium-tin oxide. The reflectivity of this electrode allows the light206 to reflect from the anode 202. Where the anode 202 and cathode 205are reversed, the cathode 205 can be reflective—or used with areflective substrate—to form a reflective organic light emitting diodepixel 200.

As with the transparent organic light emitting diode pixel (100) of FIG.1, the reflective organic light emitting diode pixel 200 of FIG. 2includes a substrate 201 that supports an anode 202. A conductive layer203, which is optically transparent, then supports an emissive layer204. A cathode 205, also optically transparent, works with the anode 202to apply an electric field to the emissive layer 204, thereby causingthe emission of light 206 when the reflective organic light emittingdiode pixel 200 of FIG. 2 is ON. When the reflective organic lightemitting diode pixel 200 is OFF, it becomes reflective, opaque, or acombination thereof due to the fact that light does not pass through thereflective organic light emitting diode pixel 200.

The difference between the transparent organic light emitting diodepixel (100) of FIG. 1 and the reflective organic light emitting diodepixel 200 of FIG. 2 is that when the transparent organic light emittingdiode pixel (100) is OFF, the transparent organic light emitting diodepixel (100) is optically transparent or pellucid. As used herein withreference to pixels, “optically transparent” means that more than fiftypercent of the light incident upon a pixel will pass through the pixelwith the pixel is OFF. The term is used this way to account for lossesin the various layers of the pixel. For example, in one embodiment thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixel (100) is at least 80%optically transparent. By contrast, when the reflective organic lightemitting diode pixel 200 is OFF, light does not pass through itsstructure due to the use of opaque and/or reflective substrates and/orelectrodes.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is another transparentorganic light emitting diode pixel 300 configured in accordance with oneor more embodiments. In this illustrative embodiment, the transparentorganic light emitting diode pixel 300 includes one or more sub-pixels308,309,310,311. Some of the sub-pixels, i.e., sub-pixels 309,310, aretransparent organic light emitting diode sub-pixels, while othersub-pixels, i.e., sub-pixels 308,311, are reflective organic lightemitting diode sub-pixels.

Despite the fact that the transparent organic light emitting diode pixel300 includes one or more reflective organic light emitting diodesub-pixels, it is still considered to be a “transparent” organic lightemitting diode pixel 300 because at least portions of the pixel areoptically transparent. Accordingly, as used herein “transparent organiclight emitting diode pixels” are pixels that are at least fifty percentoptically transparent when in the OFF state, or that include at leastone sub-pixel that is at least fifty percent optically transparent whenin the OFF state. By contrast, “reflective organic light emitting diodepixels” are not optically transparent when in the OFF state.

As before, the transparent organic light emitting diode pixel 300 ofFIG. 3 includes a substrate 301 that supports an anode 302. A conductivelayer 303, which is optically transparent, then supports an emissivelayer 304. A cathode 305, also optically transparent, works with theanode 302 to apply an electric field to the emissive layer 304, therebycausing the emission of light. One or more of the anode 302 or thesubstrate 301 includes a reflective material at sub-pixels 308,311. Bycontrast, both the substrate 301 and the anode 302 are opticallytransparent at sub-pixels 309,310.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is one explanatory display400 configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. In one or more embodiments, the display 400 is an organiclight emitting diode display comprising a substrate 401 defining a firstpixel portion 402 and one or more second pixel portions 403. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 4, the one or more second pixel portions403 are illustrated as a single pixel portion for ease of discussion.However, they could equally be two or more pixel portions as well. Forexample, the first pixel portion 402 could be moved to the middle of thedisplay 400 with one second pixel portion disposed above the first pixelportion and another second pixel portion disposed below the first pixelportion. Other configurations will be obvious to those of ordinary skillin the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, the first pixel portion 402 comprises onlytransparent organic light emitting diode pixels. For instance, in oneembodiment the pixels disposed within the first pixel portion 402 areonly the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels (100) fromFIG. 1. Alternatively, in another embodiment the pixels disposed withinthe first pixel portion 402 are only the transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels (300) from FIG. 3. Of course, a combination of thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels (100) from FIG. 1 andthe transparent organic light emitting diode pixels (300) from FIG. 3can be used as well.

In another embodiment, the pixels disposed in the first pixel portion402 comprise a combination of transparent organic light emitting diodepixels and reflective organic light emitting diode pixels. For example,in one embodiment the pixels disposed in the first pixel portion 402comprise a mixture of the transparent organic light emitting diodepixels (100) from FIG. 1 and the reflective organic light emitting diodepixels (200) of FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the pixels disposed inthe first pixel portion 402 comprise a mixture of the transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels (300) from FIG. 3 and the reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels (200) of FIG. 2. Of coursecombinations of the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels(100) and the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels (300) canbe used with the reflective organic light emitting diode pixels (200) ofFIG. 2 as well. Other configurations will be described below withreference to FIGS. 5-9. Still others will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In contrast to the pixels disposed in the first pixel portion 402,pixels disposed in the one or more second pixel portions 403 compriseonly reflective organic light emitting diode pixels. In one or moreembodiments, there are no transparent organic light emitting diodepixels disposed in the one or more second pixel portions 403. It shouldbe noted, however, that as is the case with one or more the second pixelportions 403, additional pixel portions that use transparent organiclight emitting diode pixels can be defined within the one or more secondpixel portions 403. Thus, in one or more embodiments there will be twoor more first pixel portions 402 used with the one or more second pixelportions 403.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is one embodiment of a firstpixel portion 502 configured in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure. In this illustrative embodiment, the first pixelportion 502 comprises a combination of transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels, e.g., pixel 504, and reflective organic lightemitting diode pixels, e.g., pixel 503.

In this illustrative embodiment, the transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels and the reflective organic light emitting diode pixels ofthe first pixel portion are arranged in an alternating array 507. Asused herein, “alternating” takes the dictionary meaning of “every other”or “every second.” Thus, at least some transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels occur in every other position, interspaced by atleast one reflective organic light emitting diode pixel. Illustrating byexample, pixel 504, which is a transparent organic light emitting diodepixel, and pixel 505, which is another transparent organic lightemitting diode pixel, occur in every other position due to the fact thatpixel 506, which is a reflective organic light emitting diode pixel isinterspaced therebetween.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, alternating array 507comprises columns 508,509,510 of reflective organic light emitting diodepixels alternating with other columns 511,512,513 of transparent organiclight emitting diode pixels. In another embodiment, the alternatingarray 507 could comprise rows of reflective organic light emitting diodepixels alternating with other rows of transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels. Still other alternating arrays will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is another embodiment of afirst pixel portion 502 configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. As with the embodiment of FIG. 5, in FIG.6 the first pixel portion 602 comprises a combination of transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels, e.g., pixel 604, and reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels, e.g., pixel 603. Also as before,the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels and the reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels of the first pixel portion arearranged in another alternating array 607.

In this illustrative embodiment, the alternating array 607 comprises acheckerboard array.

Accordingly, every other transparent organic light emitting diode pixel,e.g., pixels 604,605,608,609, alternate with reflective organic lightemitting diode pixels 603,606,610,611 in both the vertical andhorizontal directions. In this embodiment, two transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels are interspaced with one reflective organic lightemitting diode pixel, and vice versa. In other embodiments, twotransparent organic light emitting diode pixels could be interspaced bytwo two-emitting organic light emitting diode pixels, and vice versa.Other checkerboard configurations will be obvious to those of ordinaryskill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Turning to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is another embodiment of a firstpixel portion 702 configured in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure. In this embodiment, the first pixel portion 702comprises only transparent organic light emitting diode pixels. However,each transparent organic light emitting diode pixel includes a pluralityof sub-pixels. Some of the sub-pixels are transparent organic lightemitting diode sub-pixels, while other sub-pixels are reflective organiclight emitting diode sub-pixels.

In the magnified view shown in FIG. 7, four pixels 703,704,705,706 areshown. Each pixel 704,705,706 includes three sub-pixels. For example,pixel 703 includes three sub-pixels 707,708,709, as do each of the otherpixels 703,704,705,706. In this illustrative embodiment, sub-pixel 707is a red sub-pixel. Sub-pixel 708 is a green sub-pixel, while sub-pixel709 is a blue sub-pixel.

As shown in FIG. 7, some sub-pixels are transparent and other sub-pixelsare reflective. Illustrating by example, in this illustrative embodimentthe green sub-pixels, e.g., sub-pixel 708, comprise transparent organiclight emitting diode sub-pixels, while the red sub-pixels and the bluesub-pixels, e.g., sub-pixels 707,709, are reflective organic lightemitting diode sub-pixels.

Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that when red, green, and bluesub-pixels are used in an organic light emitting device, greensub-pixels are generally the most efficient sub-pixels at convertingcurrent to light, while blue sub-pixels are generally the leastefficient. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, to achieve balancebetween the first pixel portion 702 and the one or more second pixelportions (403), the more efficient sub-pixels are designed to betransparent organic light emitting diode sub-pixels, while lessefficient sub-pixels are designed to be reflective organic lightemitting diode sub-pixels. Here, the green sub-pixels are designed to betransparent organic light emitting diode sub-pixels while the redsub-pixels and the blue sub-pixels are designed to be reflective organiclight emitting diode sub-pixels.

Turning to FIG. 8, there is a variation of this design. In thisembodiment, both red sub-pixels and green sub-pixels are designed to betransparent organic light emitting diode sub-pixels. In the magnifiedview shown in FIG. 8, four pixels 803,804,805,806 are shown. Each pixel803,804,805,806 again includes three sub-pixels. For example, pixel 803includes three sub-pixels 807,808,809. Similarly, pixel 805 includesthree sub-pixels 810,811,812, as do each of the other pixels 804,806. Inthis illustrative embodiment, sub-pixels 807,810 are red sub-pixels.Sub-pixels 808,811 are green sub-pixels, while sub-pixels 809,812 areblue sub-pixels.

As shown in FIG. 8, some sub-pixels are transparent and other sub-pixelsare reflective. However, pixels in different locations are configureddifferently. Illustrating by example, in this illustrative embodimentthe green sub-pixel of pixel 803, e.g., sub-pixel 808, comprises atransparent organic light emitting diode sub-pixel, while the redsub-pixel and the blue sub-pixel, e.g., sub-pixels 807,809, arereflective organic light emitting diode sub-pixels. By contrast, the redsub-pixel of pixel 805, e.g., sub-pixel 810, is a transparent organiclight emitting diode sub-pixel, while the green sub-pixel and the bluesub-pixel, e.g., sub-pixels 811,812, are reflective organic lightemitting diode sub-pixels.

In this illustrative embodiment, each pixel in a row 813,814 isconfigured the same.

Accordingly, pixel 804 has the same configuration as pixel 803.Similarly, pixel 806 is configured the same as pixel 805. To provide analternating array, the row below row 814 would have the sameconfiguration as row 813, while the row above row 813 would have thesame configuration as row 814. However, in other embodiments pixels incolumns could have the same configuration, with those columnsalternating, rather than having rows alternating in configuration. Otherconfigurations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in art havingthe benefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is yet another first pixelportion 902 configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. In the magnified view shown in FIG. 9, four pixels903,904,905,906 are shown. Each pixel 903,904,905,906 includes sixsub-pixels, with two sub-pixels being red, two sub-pixels being green,and two sub-pixels being blue.

Illustrating by example, pixel 903 includes six sub-pixels907,908,909,910,911,912 as do each of the other pixels 904,905,906. Inthis illustrative embodiment, sub-pixels 907,910 are red sub-pixels.Sub-pixels 908,911 are green sub-pixels, while sub-pixel 909,912 areeach blue sub-pixels.

As shown in FIG. 9, some sub-pixels are transparent and other sub-pixelsare reflective. Illustrating by example, in this illustrative embodimentone of each of the red sub-pixels, the green sub-pixels, and the bluesub-pixels, e.g., sub-pixels 910,911,912, comprise transparent organiclight emitting diode sub-pixels, while another of each of the redsub-pixels, green sub-pixels, and the blue sub-pixels, e.g., sub-pixels907,908,909, are reflective organic light emitting diode sub-pixels.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, for each pixel, each of afirst red sub-pixel and a first green sub-pixel comprise transparentsub-pixels, while each of a second red sub-pixel and a second greensub-pixel comprises reflective sub-pixels. In this embodiment, allpixels are configured the same. However, the pixels are still in analternating array since rows 913,914,915,916 of sub-pixels alternate.

Turning now to FIG. 10, illustrated therein is an electronic device 1000comprising the display 400 of FIG. 4. The display 400 includes a firstpixel portion 402 and a second pixel portion 403. The first pixelportion 402 could be any of the first pixel portions(502,5602,702,802,902) of FIGS. 5-9, or could be of anotherconfiguration. In one embodiment, the first pixel portion 402 comprisesonly transparent organic light emitting diode pixels. In anotherembodiment, the pixels disposed in the first pixel portion 402 comprisea combination of transparent organic light emitting diode pixels andreflective organic light emitting diode pixels. Other configurationswill be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefitof this disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10 the entire extent of the display 400 is availablefor presenting images 1001 to a user. Here, images 1001 and useractuation targets 1003 are presented on the second pixel portion 403,while device information 1002, such as battery status, time of day, andsignal strength are presented on the first pixel portion 402. There isno need for the housing 1004 of the electronic device 1000 to includeborders that picture frame the display 400. To the contrary, the display400 can span an entire major face of the electronic device 1000 so thatthe entirety of the major face can be used as active display area.

One way this “borderless” display is achieved is by placing an imager1005 and/or other sensors beneath the first pixel portion 402 such thatthe imager 1005 and/or other sensors are collocated with the first pixelportion 402. This allows the imager 1005 and/or other sensors to receivesignals 1006 through the transparent portions of the first pixel portion402.

Advantageously, the imager 1005 can take pictures through the firstpixel portion 402, and thus need not to be adjacent to the display 400.This allows the display 400 to extend to the border of the top of theelectronic device 1000 rather than requiring extra space for only theimager 1005.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated therein is another explanatoryelectronic device 1100 configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. The electronic device 1100 of FIG. 11 isa portable electronic device, and is shown operating as a tabletcomputer. This illustrative electronic device 1100 includes a display400, which may optionally be touch-sensitive. In one embodiment wherethe display 400 is touch-sensitive, the display 400 can serve as aprimary user interface of the electronic device 1100. Users can deliveruser input to the display 400 of such an embodiment by delivering touchinput from a finger, stylus, or other objects disposed proximately withthe display.

In one embodiment, the display 400 comprises an organic light emittingdiode display comprising a substrate defining a first pixel portion 402comprising one or more transparent organic light emitting diode pixels.The first pixel portion 402 can comprise exclusively transparent organiclight emitting diode pixels. Alternatively, the first pixel portion 402can comprise a combination of transparent organic light emitting diodepixels and reflective organic light emitting diode pixels as previouslydescribed. The substrate of the display 400 also defines at least onesecond pixel portion 403 comprising only reflective light emitting diodepixels. The explanatory electronic device 1100 of FIG. 11 also includesa housing 1101 supporting the display 400.

A block diagram schematic 1115 of the electronic device 1100 is alsoshown in FIG. 11.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 1100 includes one or moreprocessors 1116. The one or more processors 1116 can include one or moreprocessors. The one or more processors 1116 can be a microprocessor, agroup of processing components, one or more Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), programmable logic, or other type ofprocessing device. The one or more processors 1116 can be operable withthe various components of the electronic device 1100. The one or moreprocessors 1116 can be configured to process and execute executablesoftware code to perform the various functions of the electronic device1100. A storage device, such as memory 1118, can optionally store theexecutable software code used by the one or more processors 1116 duringoperation.

In one embodiment, the one or more processors 1116 are responsible forperforming the primary functions of the electronic device 1100. Forexample, in one embodiment the one or more processors 1116 can compriseone or more circuits operable to present presentation information, suchas images, text, and video, on the display 400, or portions thereof. Theexecutable software code used by the one or more processors 1116 can beconfigured as one or more modules 1120 that are operable with the one ormore processors 1116. Such modules 1120 can store instructions, controlalgorithms, and so forth. The modules 1120 can include an operatingsystem environment, an application layer, an application service layer,and other layers.

In this illustrative embodiment, the electronic device 1100 alsoincludes a communication circuit 1125 that can be configured for wiredor wireless communication with one or more other devices or networks.The networks can include a wide area network, a local area network,and/or personal area network. Examples of wide area networks includeGSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA-2000, iDEN, TDMA, 2.5 Generation 3GPP GSMnetworks, 3rd Generation 3GPP WCDMA networks, 3GPP Long Term Evolution(LTE) networks, and 3GPP2 CDMA communication networks, UMTS networks,E-UTRA networks, GPRS networks, iDEN networks, and other networks.

The communication circuit 1125 may also utilize wireless technology forcommunication, such as, but are not limited to, peer-to-peer or ad hoccommunications such as HomeRF, Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g or n),and other forms of wireless communication such as infrared technology.The communication circuit 1125 can include wireless communicationcircuitry, one of a receiver, a transmitter, or transceiver, and one ormore antennas 1126.

As shown in FIG. 11, the one or more processors 1116 are presentingcontent 1107 on the display 400. The content 1107 of this illustrationis a graphical image. In one or more embodiments, content 1107 isretrieved, using the communication circuit 1125, from one or more remoteservers 1108.

In one or more embodiments, the electronic device 1100 includes animager 1005. The imager 1005 can be an image capture device, such as adigital camera in one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 11, theimager 1005 is disposed beneath, and thus collocated with, the firstpixel portion 402 of the display 400.

The electronic device 1100 can include other sensors 1127. The othersensors 1127 may include a microphone, an earpiece speaker, aloudspeaker, key selection sensors, a touch pad sensor, a touch screensensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and one or more switches. Touchsensors may used to indicate whether any of the user actuation targetspresent on the display 400 are being actuated. Alternatively, touchsensors disposed in the housing 1101 can be used to determine whetherthe electronic device 1100 is being touched at side edges or major facesof the electronic device 1100 are being performed by a user. The touchsensors can include surface and/or housing capacitive sensors in oneembodiment.

The other sensors 1127 can also include motion detectors, such as one ormore accelerometers or gyroscopes. For example, an accelerometer may beembedded in the electronic circuitry of the electronic device 1010 toshow vertical orientation, constant tilt and/or whether the electronicdevice 1100 is stationary. A gyroscope can be used in a similar fashion.In one embodiment the motion detectors are also operable to detectmovement, and direction of movement, of the electronic device 1100 by auser.

As with the imager 1005, any of the other sensors 1127 that operate byreceiving electromagnetic signals from sources external to theelectronic device 1100 can be collocated with the first pixel portion402 of the display 400. For example, a proximity detector that receivesinfrared signals can be disposed beneath the first pixel portion 402 ofthe display 400 to receive these signals through the transparent organiclight emitting diode pixels as previously described.

Other components 1128 operable with the one or more processors 1116 caninclude output components such as video outputs, audio outputs, and/ormechanical outputs. Examples of output components include audio outputs,an earpiece speaker, haptic devices, or other alarms and/or buzzersand/or a mechanical output component such as vibrating or motion-basedmechanisms. Still other components will be obvious to those of ordinaryskill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

It is to be understood that FIG. 11 is provided for illustrativepurposes only and for illustrating components of one electronic device1100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, and is notintended to be a complete schematic diagram of the various componentsrequired for an electronic device. Therefore, other electronic devicesin accordance with embodiments of the disclosure may include variousother components not shown in FIG. 11, or may include a combination oftwo or more components or a division of a particular component into twoor more separate components, and still be within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Now that the various hardware components have been described, attentionwill be turned to methods, systems, and use cases in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosure. Beginning with FIG. 12,illustrated therein is a method 1200 for capturing an image with animager in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.While used primarily for capturing images, it should be noted that thesteps of the method 1200 could be used for other sensors when receivingsignals through transparent organic light emitting diode pixels orsub-pixels as well.

Beginning at step 1201, the method includes presenting content on thedisplay. As shown above in FIG. 10, content can be presented on a firstpixel portion comprising only transparent organic light emitting diodepixels or sub-pixels or a combination of transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels and reflective organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels. The content can also be presentedon a second pixel portion comprising only reflective organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels.

At step 1202, the method 1200 receives user input directing the imagerof an electronic device, disposed beneath and collocated with the firstpixel portion, to capture an image. A user may touch a user actuationtarget, press a button, give a voice command, or deliver other userinput to the electronic device at step 1202. Where the method 1200 isbeing used with another sensor, the one or more processors of theelectronic device can direct the sensor to capture information at step1202.

At step 1203, one or more processors of the electronic device, which areoperable with the imager, cause the transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels or sub-pixels to cease emitting light. This cessation oflight emission prevents light emitted from the transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels from interfering with light incidentupon the first pixel portion. As noted above, when the transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels are turned OFF, theybecome optically transparent.

In some embodiments, the second pixel portion will remain ON during step1203. However, in other embodiments the second pixel portion will beturned OFF as well.

At step 1204, the method 1200 includes actuating the imager to capturethe image from the light passing through the transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels. Where the method 1200 is used withanother sensor, step 1204 can include receiving information from signalspassing through the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels orsub-pixels. For example, where a proximity detector is placed beneaththe first pixel portion, step 1204 can include the proximity detectorreceiving infrared signals that pass through the transparent organiclight emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels.

At step 1205, the method 1200 resumes the presentation of data along thefirst pixel portion of the display. In one or more embodiments, thiscomprises actuating the transparent organic light emitting diode pixelsor sub-pixels, thereby causing them to again begin emitting light.

Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated therein is an electronic device 1300that includes a display 400 comprising a substrate defining a firstpixel portion 402 and one or more second pixel portions 403. The firstpixel portion 402 comprises either only transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels or a combination of transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels and reflective organiclight emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels. The one or more second pixelportions 403 include only reflective organic light emitting diode pixelsor sub-pixels. As shown, the electronic device 1300 is presentingcontent 1301, shown here as an image, on both the first pixel portion402 and the one or more second pixel portions 403.

As noted above, embodiments of the disclosure contemplate thattransparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, orpartial sub-pixels can diminish in brightness sooner than do reflectiveorganic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partialsub-pixels. Discoloration can also occur more rapidly in transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels than in reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels. Additionally,transparent organic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, orpartial sub-pixels can suffer from “burn-in” issues more than do theirreflective counterparts.

As shown in FIG. 13, one example of this performance degradation 1302can be seen. As shown in FIG. 13, in response to extended operation,performance degradation 1302 is occurring due to the fact thattransparent organic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels are usedin the first pixel portion 402. In one embodiment, the performancedegradation 1302 comprises one or more of a loss of brightness or adiscoloration of the first pixel portion 402. In this illustrativeexample, the performance degradation 1302 causes the first pixel portion402 to look dimmer and more yellowed than the second pixel portion 403.

Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosure provide methods toremediate the display 400 to compensate performance degradation 1302. Itshould be noted that “remediation” as this term is used in thisdisclosure does not mean reversing the performance degradation 1302, asembodiments of the disclosure contemplate that performance degradation1302 is inevitable in many cases due to the physical structure of thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels.Accordingly, as used herein, “remediation” refers to executingcompensating methods and applying compensating systems to the firstpixel portion 402, such as by presenting content, adjusting powerlevels, tuning color, and/or brightness of the less used portions sothat all portions of the display 400 achieve a substantially equivalentvisual appearance. Accordingly, a remediated display is not devoid ofperformance degradation 1302, but instead ensures that any performancedegradation 1302 that may occur happens substantially equally along allportions of the display 400.

Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated therein is one explanatory method1400 for remediating performance degradation resulting from thepresentation of content on a pixel portion comprising transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels while another pixelportion of the display includes reflective organic light emitting diodepixels or sub-pixels.

At step 1401, the method 1400 comprises presenting content on thedisplay. At optional step 1402, the method 1400 includes monitoring apresentation characteristic of the content being presented at step 1401.In one or more embodiments, these presentation characteristics aremonitored to estimate the amount of performance degradation occurringwhile the first pixel portion presents the content. As will be describedin more detail below, in one or more embodiments remediation operationsthat occur in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure occur as afunction of the presentation characteristics monitored at step 1402.

In one embodiment, step 1402 includes monitoring an ON time of the firstpixel portion of the display while the first pixel portion is presentingcontent. In another embodiment, step 1402 comprises monitoring abrightness of the first pixel portion of the display while the firstpixel portion is presenting content. In still another embodiment, step1402 comprises monitoring an ON pixel value for pixels of the firstpixel portion of the display while the first pixel portion of thedisplay is presenting content. Of course, combinations of thesepresentation characteristics can be monitored at step 1402 as well.Still other performance characteristics suitable for monitoring at step1402 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure. The monitoring occurring at step 1402 canalso include monitoring these values for the one or more second pixelportions so that the monitored values from the first pixel portion andthe one or more second pixel portions can be compared.

In one or more embodiments, the presentation characteristics monitoredat step 1402 can be stored in a memory device to define a contentpresentation history at step 1403. For example, in one embodiment, thecontent presentation history comprises a record of an ON time of thefirst pixel portion and/or the one or more second pixel portions, abrightness of the first pixel portion and/or the one or more secondpixel portions, an ON pixel value of the first pixel portion and/or theone or more second pixel portions, or combinations thereof. Embodimentsof the disclosure contemplate that, in some applications, content willbe presented on the first pixel portion while in other application'scontent will be presented on the one or more second pixel portions.Accordingly, across time the storage occurring at step 1403 can define apresentation history that includes a record of an ON time, a brightness,an ON pixel value, or combinations thereof, for the first pixel portionand the one or more second pixel portions, respectively.

At optional step 1404, in one embodiment the method 1400 monitors a typeof application causing the presentation of content on the first pixelportion and/or the one or more second pixel portions. As noted above,embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that the amount of burn-inthat a portion of a display including transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels or sub-pixels experiences can be a function of a particularapplication operating to cause the presentation of content. For example,an email application that presents black text on an otherwise whitedisplay will cause more burn-in that would, say, a gaming application ormusic application that presents information on a black background. Fromthe example of FIG. 10 above, constantly displaying battery status, timeof day, or other information on the first pixel portion may cause moreburn-in that would the presentation of changing images on the one ormore second pixel portions. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments oneor more processors monitor a record of a type of application causing thepresentation of content and/or application parameters corresponding tothe application at step 1404. In one embodiment, this applicationrecording can be stored to the presentation history at step 1404 aswell.

At step 1405, the method 1400 determines that the first pixel portionrequires remediation to compensate for performance degradation resultingfrom the presentation of content with transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels or sub-pixels. This determination can be made in a varietyof ways. In one simple embodiment, the first pixel portion requiresremediation when it has been used more than the one or more second pixelportions. In another embodiment, the presentation history stored inmemory can be used to determine when the first pixel portion needsremediation. In another embodiment, monitored presentationcharacteristics, including an ON time of the first pixel portion and/orthe one or more second pixel portions of the display, a brightness ofthe first pixel portion and/or the one or more second pixel portions ofthe display, an ON pixel value of the first pixel portion and/or the oneor more second pixel portions of the display, or combinations thereof,can be used to determine that the first pixel portion of the displayrequires remediation to compensate for performance degradation. Stillother techniques for making the determination of step 1405 will beobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

At step 1406, the method 1400 remediates the display. In one or moreembodiments, methods of remediating the display to ensure that the firstpixel portion and the one or more second pixel portions appear visuallysimilar in appearance.

Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments one or moreprocessors operable with the display perform color tracking bymonitoring how often the portion of the display comprising transparentorganic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partialsub-pixels is ON relative to other portions comprising only reflectiveorganic light emitting diode display pixels, sub-pixels, or partialsub-pixels. The one or more processors can calculate and store runningaverages of this “on pixel ratio” for all areas of the display. The oneor more processors can then compensate for differences in this on pixelratio to ensure consistent optical performance as seen by a viewer.

Examples of how this can occur are explained in more detail below withreference to FIGS. 15-17. Still other methods of remediating the displaywill be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefitof this disclosure.

Beginning with FIG. 15, in one embodiment the remediating occurring atstep 1406 comprises monitoring, at step 1501, the content beingpresented on one of the first pixel portion and/or the one or moresecond pixel portions of the display and presenting, at step 1502, othercontent to remediate for any loss of brightness, loss of intensity, orburn-in that may result from the presenting of step 1501. In a simpleexample, if the first pixel portion constantly displays time of day,battery status, and wireless signal strength, in one embodiment a mirrorimage of this content can be presented on the first pixel portion of thedisplay at step 1502 to reduce burn-in. In another simple example, whereloss of brightness is problematic at the first pixel portion, one ormore processors of the electronic device remediate the first pixelportion by increasing an amount of power delivered to at least some ofthe transparent organic light emitting diode pixels. Other remediationtechniques are described below. Still others will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the content presented at step 1502 iscreated as a function of the ratio of the amount of time the transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels in the first pixelportion are ON compared with the amount of time that the reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels are ON. This isreferred to as the “ON Pixel Ratio.” In one or more embodiments the ONPixel Ratio can be calculated between the first pixel portion and thesecond pixel portion. In one or more embodiments, the ON Pixel Ratio isdetermined for each sub-pixel individually when those sub-pixelscorrespond to different colors. Thus, one ON Pixel Ratio could becalculated for blue sub-pixels, while another is calculated for greensub-pixels, and so forth. The ON Pixel Ratios for the first pixelportion and the second pixel portion can then be analyzed to compensatefor differences between the first pixel portion and the second pixelportion so that remedial operations can be taken to balance the visualappearance between the first pixel portion and the second pixel portion.The appropriate compensation image can then be display to the firstpixel portion or the second pixel portion as needed.

Turning now to FIG. 16, illustrated therein is another example of howthe remediating of step 1406 can occur. Embodiments of the disclosurecontemplate that it can be beneficial to perform the remediation only atselect, opportune times. For example, where a user is not actively usingan electronic device, remediation activities might occur. By contrast,when the user is actively using the electronic device, remediation maybe precluded so as not to disrupt the user's usage of the electronicdevice.

Accordingly, at step 1601 the remediating occurring at step 1406comprises monitoring the content being presented on the first pixelportion and/or the one or more second pixel portions of the display. Atstep 1602, presentation characteristics corresponding to thepresentation are recorded in memory. These presentation characteristicscan include an ON time of the first pixel portion and/or the one or moresecond pixel portions of the display, a brightness of the first pixelportion and/or the one or more second pixel portions of the display, anON pixel value for pixels of the first pixel portion and/or the one ormore second pixel portions of the display, or other characteristics. Inone embodiment, these characteristics are stored in a memory device todefine a content presentation history as described above.

At step 1603, a docking operation is detected. Examples of dockingoperations include coupling the electronic device to a charger or powersupply, coupling the electronic device to a docking station, causing theelectronic device to enter a docked mode of operation such as presentinga clock for nightstand use, or bending the electronic device into one ormore predefined geometrical configurations corresponding to a dockedmode. Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that a user is unlikelyto be using the electronic device when in the docket mode.

At step 1604, other content can be presented on the pixel portion thatrequires remediation. As noted above, this content can be a compensationimage that is determined as a function of intensity, color, compensationamount, or other characteristics of the ON Pixel Ratios. In oneembodiment, this other content is presented on the display while theelectronic device is in the docked mode of operation. The remediatingcontent can be created as a function of the monitored presentationcharacteristics that causes either the first pixel portion or the one ormore second pixel portions to emit brightness, color, and intensities oflight so that each pixel portion operates consistently. For instance, aseries of flashes, patterns, or other abstract content presentations canexercise the pixels that are seldom used to counteract burn-in. Thisresults in each pixel getting the same amount of ON time, brightness,and/or pixel value.

Turning now to FIG. 17, illustrated therein is another example of howthe remediating of step 1406 can occur. At step 1701 the remediatingoccurring at step 1406 comprises monitoring the content being presentedon the first pixel portion and/or the one or more second pixel portionsof the display. At step 1702, remediating content is created. In oneembodiment, the different content is created as a function of themonitored presentation characteristics that causes one or both of thefirst pixel portion and/or the one or more second portions to emitbrightness, color, and intensities of light so as to mitigate anyvisible differences occurring between the first pixel portion and thesecond pixel portion when operating normally.

At step 1303, an opportune moment to perform the remediation isidentified. As noted above, embodiments of the disclosure contemplatethat it can be beneficial to perform the remediation only at select,opportune times. Examples of such opportune times include times wherethe electronic device is not moving, as detected by the motiondetectors, or is in a low-power or sleep mode. Once such an opportunetime is detected, remediation can occur at step 1704 as previouslydescribed.

The results of remediation are shown in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 18,the electronic some performance degradation 1801 has occurred. However,due to the remediation efforts, the performance degradation 1801 isuniform across the first pixel portion 402 and the one or more secondpixel portions 403. The result is achievement of a substantiallyequivalent visual appearance 1802 across the display 400.

Turning now to FIG. 19, illustrated therein are various embodiments ofthe disclosure. At 1901, an organic light emitting diode displaycomprises a substrate defining a first pixel portion and one or moresecond pixel portions. At 1901, pixels formed in the first pixel portioncomprise at least some transparent organic light emitting diode pixels,while other pixels formed in the one or more second pixel portionscomprise only reflective organic light emitting diode pixels.

At 1902, the first pixel portion of 1901 comprises a combination of thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels and the reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels. At 1903, the transparent organiclight emitting diode pixels and the reflective organic light emittingdiode pixels of the first pixel portion are arranged in an alternatingarray.

At 1904, the alternating array of 1903 comprises columns of reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels alternating with other columns oftransparent organic light emitting diode pixels. At 1905, thealternating array comprises a checkerboard array.

At 1906, the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels of 1901each comprises a plurality of sub-pixels. At 1906, some sub-pixels aretransparent and other sub-pixels are reflective.

At 1907, the plurality of sub-pixels of 1906 comprises red sub-pixels,blue sub-pixels, and green sub-pixels. At 1907, the green sub-pixelscomprise transparent sub-pixels. At 1908, the red sub-pixels and theblue sub-pixels of 1907 each comprise reflective sub-pixels.

At 1909, the plurality of sub-pixels of 1906 comprises at least two redsub-pixels, at least two blue sub-pixels, and at least two greensub-pixels. At 1909, each of a first red sub-pixel and a first greensub-pixel comprise transparent sub-pixels. At 1909, each of a second redsub-pixel and a second green sub-pixel comprise reflective sub-pixels.

At 1910, the plurality of sub-pixels of 1906 comprises at least two redsub-pixels, at least two blue sub-pixels, and at least two greensub-pixels. At 1910, each of a first red sub-pixel, a first greensub-pixel, and a first blue sub-pixel comprise transparent sub-pixels.At 1910, each of a second red sub-pixel, a second green sub-pixel, and asecond blue sub-pixel comprise reflective sub-pixels.

At 1911, an electronic device comprises an organic light emitting diodedisplay comprising a substrate defining a first pixel portion comprisinga combination of transparent organic light emitting diode pixels andreflective organic light emitting diode pixels, and at least one secondpixel portion comprising only reflective light emitting diode pixels. At1911, the electronic device also includes an imager. At 1911, the imageris collocated with the first pixel portion so as to receive lightthrough the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels.

At 1912, the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels and thereflective organic light emitting diode pixels of the first pixelportion of 1911 are arranged in an alternating pattern. At 1913, thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels of the first pixelportion of 1911 each comprise a plurality of sub-pixels. At 1913, somesub-pixels are transparent and other sub-pixels are reflective.

At 1914, the electronic device of 1911 further comprises one or moreprocessors operable with the imager. At 1914, the one or more processorscause the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels to ceaseemitting light while actuating the imager.

At 1915, an electronic device comprises an organic light emitting diodedisplay comprising a substrate defining a first pixel portion comprisingtransparent organic light emitting diode pixels and one or more secondpixel portions comprising only reflective light emitting diode pixels.At 1915, one or more processors are operable with the organic lightemitting diode display. At 1915, the one or more processors remediateone or both of the first pixel portion and the one or more second pixelportions to compensate performance degradation of the first pixelportion resulting from the presenting content on the first pixel portionof the organic light emitting diode display.

At 1916, the performance degradation of 1915 comprises one or more ofloss of brightness or discoloration of the first pixel portion. At 1917,the one or more processors of 1915 remediating the first pixel portionby increasing an amount of power delivered to at least some of thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels.

At 1918, the one or more processors of 1915 further monitor apresentation characteristic of the content presented. At 1918,remediating occurs as a function of the presentation characteristic.

At 1919, the presentation characteristic of 1918 comprises one or moreof an ON time of the first pixel portion, a brightness of the firstpixel portion, an ON pixel value of the first pixel portion, orcombinations thereof. At 1920, the presentation characteristic of 1919further comprises one or more of another ON time of the one or moresecond pixel portions, another brightness of the one or more secondpixel portions, another ON pixel value of the one or more second pixelportions, or combinations thereof.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forthin the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the disclosurehave been illustrated and described, it is clear that the disclosure isnot so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification andfigures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within thescope of present disclosure. The benefits, advantages, solutions toproblems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, orsolution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as acritical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an organiclight emitting diode display comprising a substrate defining a firstpixel portion and one or more second pixel portions, the one or moresecond pixel portions comprising only reflective light emitting diodepixels; and one or more processors operable with the organic lightemitting diode display, the one or more processors remediating one orboth of the first pixel portion and the one or more second pixelportions to compensate performance degradation of the first pixelportion resulting from presenting content on the first pixel portion ofthe organic light emitting diode display; wherein the first pixelportion comprises a combination of transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels and reflective organic light emitting diode pixels.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, the performance degradation comprising oneor more of loss of brightness or discoloration of the first pixelportion.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2, the one or more processorsremediating the first pixel portion by increasing an amount of powerdelivered to at least some of the transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, the one or moreprocessors further monitoring a presentation characteristic of thecontent during the presenting, wherein the remediating occurs as afunction of the presentation characteristic.
 5. The electronic device ofclaim 4, the presentation characteristic comprising one or more of an ONtime of the first pixel portion, a brightness of the first pixelportion, an ON pixel value of the first pixel portion, or combinationsthereof.
 6. The electronic device of claim 5, the presentationcharacteristic further comprising one or more of another ON time of theone or more second pixel portions, another brightness of the one or moresecond pixel portions, another ON pixel value of the one or more secondpixel portions, or combinations thereof.
 7. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein at least two of the transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels in the first pixel portion are interspaced by at least oneof the reflective organic light emitting diode pixels in the first pixelportion.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels and the reflective organic lightemitting diode pixels of the first pixel portion are arranged in analternating array.
 9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein thealternating array comprises columns of reflective organic light emittingdiode pixels alternating with other columns of transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels and the reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels of the first pixel portion arearranged in a checkerboard array.
 11. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels eachcomprise a plurality of sub-pixels, wherein some sub-pixels aretransparent and other sub-pixels are reflective.
 12. The electronicdevice of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sub-pixels comprises redsub-pixels, blue sub-pixels, and green sub-pixels, wherein the greensub-pixels comprise transparent sub-pixels.
 13. The electronic device ofclaim 12, wherein the red sub-pixels and the blue sub-pixels eachcomprise reflective sub-pixels.
 14. The electronic device of claim 11,wherein the plurality of sub-pixels comprise at least two redsub-pixels, at least two blue sub-pixels, and at least two greensub-pixels, wherein: each of a first red sub-pixel and a first greensub-pixel comprise transparent sub-pixels; and each of a second redsub-pixel and a second green sub-pixel comprise reflective sub-pixels.15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofsub-pixels comprise at least two red sub-pixels, at least two bluesub-pixels, and at least two green sub-pixels, wherein: each of a firstred sub-pixel, a first green sub-pixel, and a first blue sub-pixelcomprise transparent sub-pixels; and each of a second red sub-pixel, asecond green sub-pixel, and a second blue sub-pixel comprise reflectivesub-pixels.
 16. An electronic device, comprising: an organic lightemitting diode display defining a first pixel portion and one or moresecond pixel portions comprising only reflective light emitting diodepixels wherein the first pixel portion comprises a combination oftransparent organic light emitting diode pixels and reflective organiclight emitting diode pixels; and one or more processors operable withthe organic light emitting diode display, the one or more processorsremediating one or both of the first pixel portion and the one or moresecond pixel portions to compensate performance degradation of the firstpixel portion resulting from presenting content on the first pixelportion of the organic light emitting diode display.
 17. The electronicdevice of claim 16, further comprising one or more sensors, collocatedwith the first pixel portion, so as to receive signals through thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels.
 18. The electronicdevice of claim 16, further comprising an imager, wherein the imager iscollocated with the first pixel portion so as to receive light throughthe transparent organic light emitting diode pixels.
 19. The electronicdevice of claim 18, the one or more processors causing the transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels to cease emitting light whileactuating the imager.
 20. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels and the reflectiveorganic light emitting diode pixels of the first pixel portion arearranged in an alternating pattern.